The contest is over, and three new sa国际传媒 Ferries have names. And they are good names. On Tuesday, the ferry corporation announced that after receiving more than 7,100 entries from the public, its judging panel selected the names Salish Orca, Salish Eagle and Salish Raven for the intermediate-class ships.
The names honour the Coast Salish people and the Salish Sea, where the vessels will operate. To underline the connection, sa国际传媒 Ferries and the First People鈥檚 Cultural Council will choose Coast Salish artists to design artwork for the ships, both inside and out.
When the naming contest was announced, criticism battered Ferries executives, including on this page. Those who love to hate the ferry service used the opportunity to drag out their favourite complaints, while we found fault with the seemingly unnecessary restrictions on the names that would be considered. We lamented the possibility of names like those of the Coastal-class vessels, Celebration, Inspiration and Renaissance, which say nothing about sa国际传媒
Despite our misgivings, British Columbians rose to the challenge and created names that evoke the West Coast and the waters the ferries will sail. Orca, eagle and raven are familiar sights for anyone who lives on the coast, and they have particular significance for coastal First Nations.
The 鈥淪alish鈥� part of the names pays tribute to those First Nations.
No one who entered the contest suggested all three of the full names, but nine people suggested at least one of them. All were entered in a draw and three were chosen to receive $500 worth of ferry travel. The others receive a round-trip ferry voucher.
Late next year, the Salish Orca will begin sailing between Comox and Powell River. It and the other new ships will carry fine names across the Salish Sea.
